Making A New Path For Tomorrow, With The Power of Nature.

Who we are

Since our founding in 1951, the Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) has worked along with individuals, communities, and the private sector - supported by tens of thousands of people across the country - toward a harmonious coexistence between people and nature.

Our activities are rooted in scientific evidence and include policy advocacy, research and field investigations, community-based collaboration, capacity building, and public engagement. These efforts aim to conserve and protect Japan's rich, diverse, and sometimes fragile natural environment, along with the many forms of life it supports.

In alignment with global conservation efforts, we also serve as the secretariat for the Japan Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Mission / Vision

Our Mission

To protect the natural environment that sustains everyday life, promote its value, and help create a society where people live in harmony with nature.

Our Vision

Nature is the foundation of our daily lives and economy, nurtures people’s hearts, and is at the heart of local cultures.
We are dedicated to protecting this precious environment and creating a society where people and nature thrive together and everyone can enjoy life surrounded by beautiful, abundant nature.
Together with our members and supporters nationwide, we foster greater understanding of nature, promote nature-based living, and pass on the joy of living with nature to future generations.

Our Identity

  • Policy Focus

    Safeguarding vanishing natural environments and shaping structures to protect them
    NACS-J not only works to halt development projects that overlook the value of nature, but also draws on the lessons learned from such efforts to engage in policy advocacy. Through this, we aim to build better systems that ensure long-term harmony between people and nature.

  • Knowledge Base

    Respecting scientific evidence and traditional knowledge
    NACS-J values the integration of diverse forms of knowledge - from natural and social sciences to traditional ecological practices rooted in local communities - in shaping our conservation activities.

  • Partnerships

    Collaborating across all sectors
    We recognise the importance of collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders. Our partnerships span individuals, businesses, local governments, universities, and research institutions, as well as our dedicated members and supporters who serve as nature guides and community leaders in conservation efforts.

What We Do

Policy
Advocacy

NACS-J’s roots lie in the conservation of the Oze wetlands, and over the years we have taken a stand against development projects in areas such as the Ogasawara Islands, Shiretoko Peninsula, and the Shirakami Mountains. These on-the-ground efforts have evolved into a broader commitment to policy advocacy grounded in local conservation work.

Our advocacy has contributed to the development and revision of key environmental legislation in Japan including laws on protected areas systems, the environmental impact Assessment, World Heritage Sites, endangered species conservation, invasive alien species, and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, among others.

Through these initiatives, NACS-J influences policy at multiple levels - ranging from site-specific conservation efforts to broader societal systems that support nature conservation.

Business
Partnerships

NACS-J is committed to advancing nature conservation through partnerships with business and financial institutions. With over 300 collaborations annually, we pursue diverse partnerships that combineNACS-J’s expertise with the financial, technological, and human resources of the private sector.

Case 1Creating a Nature-Positive
Supply Chain

Lush Japan, known for its strong commitment to sustainability, collaborates with NACS-J through its“regenerative buying” policy. Together, we work to build a supply chain of raw material suppliers that actively contribute to nature conservation. This approach not only enhancesLush’s brand appeal, but also supports long-term financial sustainability for conservation areas.

©LUSH JAPAN G.K.

Case 2Investing in Nature-Based
Solutions

HSBC, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, is partnering with NACS-J in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, as part of its investment in Nature-Based Solutions. This pioneering initiative in Japan seeks to simultaneously address climate change and biodiversity loss, while also supporting local livelihoods. The project includes proactive measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and aims to contribute to a balanced coexistence between nature and community.

Science-Based
Initiatives

NACS-J integrates scientific knowledge from both natural and social sciences, along with traditional and local knowledge gained through generations of hands-on nature management practices. A key focus is the promotion of civic-participatory research. We have established long-term monitoring systems in satoyama landscapes, with local communities conducting surveys at hundreds of sites across Japan.

Global
Partnerships

A core strength of NACS-J is our partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s largest and most influential conservation network. NACS-J serves as the secretariat of the Japan Committee for IUCN, which consolidates knowledge and activities from dozens of Japanese NGOs and hundreds of experts. Through this collaboration, we promote conservation efforts in Japan that reflect the latest global trends and best practices.

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Profile

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